1989 toyota ?????

Hey all I recently purchased a 1989 Celica w/ auto air sunroof, for 200
bucks american. It has 165k miles on it. It runs fantastic and gets
exceptional hiway gas milage. So far I have replaced the front struts, the
altenator, and rebuilt the passanger rear brake cylinder. My questions are
the following
1 should I change the transmission fluid, It is dark but not black. I am
concerned about changing it because it looks to have never been changed
before and I am worried about messing with a system that is working fine at
the moment.
2 If I do change the fluid and filter in the transmission, is there a shift
kit available for it, I would like to get a little firmer shifts if I could
3 Would a transmission cooler be usefull on this car? If so how big of a
cooler should I get?
4 Aside from different tires, what alternatives do I have in regards to
making this car handle better?
So far I have a total of
200 for the car
100 =altenator
90= strut inserts
6=brake cylinder rebuild
---------
$396 grand total
I have less than what some peoples car payments are invested in this car so
I can only go up.
Thanks for any and all replies
Steve

On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 20:06:57 -0500, seeray28(steve) wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hey all I recently purchased a 1989 Celica w/ auto air sunroof, for 200
> bucks american. It has 165k miles on it. It runs fantastic and gets
> exceptional hiway gas milage. So far I have replaced the front struts, the
> altenator, and rebuilt the passanger rear brake cylinder. My questions are
> the following
> 1 should I change the transmission fluid, It is dark but not black. I am
> concerned about changing it because it looks to have never been changed
> before and I am worried about messing with a system that is working fine at
> the moment.
> 2 If I do change the fluid and filter in the transmission, is there a shift
> kit available for it, I would like to get a little firmer shifts if I could
> 3 Would a transmission cooler be usefull on this car? If so how big of a
> cooler should I get?
> 4 Aside from different tires, what alternatives do I have in regards to
> making this car handle better?
> So far I have a total of
> 200 for the car
> 100 =altenator
> 90= strut inserts
> 6=brake cylinder rebuild
> ---------
> $396 grand total
> I have less than what some peoples car payments are invested in this car so
> I can only go up.
> Thanks for any and all replies
> Steve[/color]


Tricky questions!

As far as the tranny, smell it. If it doesn't smell burnt, then perhaps
you can get away with a drin and fill. DON'T FLUSH IT!!!!

This car should have a screen. What I would do is get a clean pan of some
sort to drain the fluid into, and put it aside. What happens is the
friction material breaks down; this way, if it has broken down you may be
able to save the old stuf and enough of the 'material' to keep the tranny
working! (In the old days, they used to 'replenish' slipping trannies
with Sawdust. Lasts long enough to drive it home, and then to Aamco...!)

Take out the screen and look at it. If it is loaded with red or black
specs, those are your clutch discs! Meaning, they are shot. If it is
somewhat clean, clean it and replace. Put the pan back on and refill with
fresh tranny sauce. Fill the empty bottles with the old stuff, just in
case!

As far as the tires, this should have 14" rims on it. A 195/60-14 will fit
without rubbing (it should!); you'll get a slightly softer ride due to the
higher sidewall (I believe stock is a 185/60-14?) and give you a slightly
wider tire track. You can *try* a 205 or 225/60-14, but these may rub.

Give me the stock tire size and I can help a little more on this.

"seeray28(steve)" <seeray28@charter.net> wrote in message
news:PLWXg.5844$%l1.4539@newsfe07.lga...[color=blue]
> Hey all I recently purchased a 1989 Celica w/ auto air sunroof, for 200
> bucks american. It has 165k miles on it. It runs fantastic and gets
> exceptional hiway gas milage. So far I have replaced the front struts, the
> altenator, and rebuilt the passanger rear brake cylinder. My questions are
> the following
> 1 should I change the transmission fluid, It is dark but not black. I am
> concerned about changing it because it looks to have never been changed
> before and I am worried about messing with a system that is working fine
> at
> the moment.[/color]

Just drain and refill the ATF, do not flush. There is a screen under the
oil pan but I would not worry about it.
[color=blue]
> 2 If I do change the fluid and filter in the transmission, is there a
> shift
> kit available for it, I would like to get a little firmer shifts if I
> could[/color]

New ATF can help it shift more crisply, as can new accumulators.
[color=blue]
> 3 Would a transmission cooler be usefull on this car? If so how big of a
> cooler should I get?[/color]

A transmission cooler will not make the car perform better, and it just one
more potential source of leaks. I would not add one.
[color=blue]
> 4 Aside from different tires, what alternatives do I have in regards to
> making this car handle better?
> So far I have a total of
> 200 for the car
> 100 =altenator
> 90= strut inserts
> 6=brake cylinder rebuild[/color]

New struts with springs may help the car handle better, as will increasing
tire pressure to about 34 PSI.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"seeray28(steve)" <seeray28@charter.net> wrote in message
news:PLWXg.5844$%l1.4539@newsfe07.lga...[color=blue]
> Hey all I recently purchased a 1989 Celica w/ auto air sunroof, for 200
> bucks american. It has 165k miles on it. It runs fantastic and gets
> exceptional hiway gas milage. So far I have replaced the front struts, the
> altenator, and rebuilt the passanger rear brake cylinder. My questions are
> the following
> 1 should I change the transmission fluid, It is dark but not black. I am
> concerned about changing it because it looks to have never been changed
> before and I am worried about messing with a system that is working fine
> at
> the moment.
> 2 If I do change the fluid and filter in the transmission, is there a
> shift
> kit available for it, I would like to get a little firmer shifts if I
> could
> 3 Would a transmission cooler be usefull on this car? If so how big of a
> cooler should I get?
> 4 Aside from different tires, what alternatives do I have in regards to
> making this car handle better?
> So far I have a total of
> 200 for the car
> 100 =altenator
> 90= strut inserts
> 6=brake cylinder rebuild
> ---------
> $396 grand total
> I have less than what some peoples car payments are invested in this car
> so
> I can only go up.
> Thanks for any and all replies
> Steve
>
>[/color]

1. I would change the transmission fluid but don't flush it or go overboard.
just let what runs out come out and no more.

2. Firmer shifts in a front wheel drive car can cause problems, plus shift
kits are recommended on older transmissions. If it is weak that will make it
go quicker.

3. The transmission should already have a cooler in the radiator. unless you
plan to tow with it or race it I wouldn't worry.

4. Coil-over kits are available for the Celica but they need to be fitted
professionally as they modify the strut. 90% of the suspension bushes can be
replaced with polyurethane instead of rubber. Stiffer springs and anti-roll
bars especially on the rear to lift the inside wheel on turn-in will give
sharper handling. fit ST162 front hubs as they have camber adjusters built
in, or get adjustable strut tops which can change the camber and the caster
of the front wheels. And finally have it all setup and corner weighted by a
race suspension shop to get everything working in harmony. Also fit 16inch
wheels with 215 wide tarmac rally spec tyres, but be prepared to change them
regularly.